Crime & Justice

Image of Jonathan Contreras circulated by San Bernardino police. Contreras was arrested on suspicion of possession of an assault rifle and a sawed-off rifle in connection with the shooting of a San Bernardino Police training officer early Friday morning.
San Bernardino Police Department
San Bernardino Police officer Gabriel Garcia was severely injured in a shootout early Friday morning.
San Bernardino Police Department
Photo of Alex Alvarado, the man accused of shooting a San Bernardino Police training officer during an early morning altercation Friday.
San Bernardino Police Department

Jessica Hamlin with KPCC staff | KPCC|August 25, 2014

A suspect in the Friday shootout that left a San Bernardino police officer in critical condition has been charged with attempted murder, Lt. Rich Lawhead confirmed to KPCC.

The Los Angeles District Attorney asked that Jonathan Contreras, 20, receive the charge after further investigation of the incident that took place early Friday morning.

Police said officer Gabriel Garcia and the trainee approached six people on a San Bernardino street when someone in the group opened fire on them at 2 a.m. Friday morning.

Contreras is the only person in the group of six to be charged with attempted murder, said Lawhead. He was initially booked on suspicion of possessing an assault rifle and a "sawed-off rifle," San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said in a news conference.

Alex Alvarado, 38, is suspected of shooting Garcia. He was fatally shot by the training officer who has not been named.

Officer Garcia has served on the force for over six years and is still in “extremely critical condition” and an induced coma, Lawhead said.

San Bernardino police are holding a prayer service for Garcia Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Inland Empire 66ers home venue, San Manuel Stadium. The stadium is located at 280 South E Street in San Bernardino.